Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Monday-Tuesday



Replicas.Have you seen this one yet? It's about cloning and replicating, and  I found it to be intense. I was immersed in it, but couldn't decide till the end whether I liked it or not. The film kept me guessing all the way through it. I give it a   👍
AND....
Last of the fall flowers. Really.


And though she be but little, she is fierce.  My hydrangea didn't do well this year. Too much water in the winter and near drought conditions in the summer. But this little bloom bloomed early in the summer and is STILL holding on. It reminds me that if a bloom can be this tenacious so can we.

AND...


The Woo-Woo Clock.
I got up the other morning 9:30ish. Meandered out and took the critters on their morning constitutional in the garden. Came back in, started filling pet bowls, glanced at the kitchen clock and it said 10:30ish. Say what? The cooler weather is a sure guarantee I don't loiter in the garden an hour. In my caffeine deprived wisdom I decided it was time change weekend and the HH had missed the bedroom clock. When he got up, an hour or so later, I nattered at  him, err, inquired about this. He assured me it wasn't time to change the clocks. We (he) finally came to the conclusion, the bedroom clock had reset itself a week early. Very Woo-Woo.

Have you seen this movie? How does your garden grow? Do you have a Woo-Woo  Clock?

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Did You Know

Did you know during the renaissance amethyst was commonly engraved with a bear and worn as a protective amulet?

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Monday-Tuesday

I saw this on Amazon Prime and really enjoyed it. The movie is based on a true story, which for me only heightened the emotion of the film. Is it fast-paced and action-packed? No. Does it get under your skin and have you rooting for the underdogs? Most definitely. I was happy dancing on the inside by the end. Which by the way is where I do most of my happy dancing;)😍




AND...The last of the fall flowers.

AND...Outside looking in.

Have you seen Stone of Destiny? Did you enjoy it? How is your garden holding up? How are the cats?

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Did you know, that many bones in a bird are hollow? Which is helpful weight-wise for takeoffs and flying.
AND...
Saddened to hear about the passing of Elijah Cummings. A huge loss for our country.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Release Day


Today is TumbleStar's official Book Birth Date. Thanks to all who featured a cover release, pre-ordered and continue to help. I couldn't do it without you.


Warning. Besides hand-tooled boots, content contains: a big-hearted, hasty-tempered cowboy, a homeless young woman, an orphaned little girl and a wild white stallion.

Storyline. Coop Malloy receives a telegram that his sister and brother-in-law have died and Kallie, his ten-year-old niece, is on her way to Texas to live with him.
Still reeling from the loss of his sister, he receives another shock when his childhood friend Randa Lockhart steps off the stage with Kallie. He’s stunned to see that the little pigtailed nuisance that tagged after him and his best friend years ago has turned into a beautiful young woman.
Randa and Kallie have barely settled in when Coop finds buffalo hunter Marvin Doolin beating the local blacksmith within an inch of his life for laming his horse. Coop steps in and when the buffalo hunter tries to kill him, he shoots him. Now Doolin’s four brothers are out to even the score.
When they go after Randa, they cross the line. They’re about to find out that’s there’s nothing Coop won’t do, and no one he won’t track down to protect the two females that have burrowed hard and fast into his heart.

Excerpt
“Something on your mind?”
That was another thing she’d forgotten. How easily he read her. Considering her attraction to him, that definitely wasn’t a good thing. Nerves had her pleating a piece of her skirt between her fingers. But she looked him in the eye when she spoke. “I was wondering why you didn’t bring her in the house instead of sticking her in that dark little hut.”
He rocked on his heels and studied her. “What do you think?”
She gave him a level look, but couldn’t bring herself to make an accusation. There had to be another explanation. “I don’t know, Coop. That’s why I’m asking you.”
His face darkened. She could almost see the anger roll through him. He’d always had a quick temper. Got over it quick too.
“You think it’s because she was captured by the Indians and has a half breed son? Come on, Randa. You know me better than that.”
“I knew you better than that.  It’s been a few years. Men change.”
“So do women. There was a time that thought would have never entered your head.”
She shrugged. “And I don’t really believe it now.”
Relief spread like sunshine across his features. Wiping out the angry.
Just like a popup storm, she thought.  Here and gone.
“So, tell me. Why did you stick her in that dreary little shed of a building instead of the ranch house? My heart knows you even if my head questions. What was the reason?”
He drew himself up and looked down his nose at her. “I don’t make a habit of explaining myself, Miranda.”
She remembered that too. And the fact that he’d used her full name just went to show the storm wasn’t over.
“But I will.”
He held up a finger. “It’s where we take all the injured and sick because it’s close to Coosie.” He held up a second finger. “Yes, it’s dreary and it’s a shed, but it will be theirs. I told Anna she’s welcome to stay on once she’s better. We can use her help with the cooking, sewing and cleaning. As time allows, we’ll add a couple of bedrooms and windows. I figured she’d be more comfortable if she had a place she could call hers, no matter how small. I know the boy would.”
Remorse washed through her as heat flooded her cheeks. When had she got so smallminded? There must be some of her father in her after all. “I’m sorry, Coop. I sometimes forget, no matter how much trouble you got into, you always led with your heart.”
“You instigated your fair share of that trouble, Randa.”  His voice gruff, his dark, slashing eyebrows still maintained their downward spiral.
She gave him a playful nudge in the ribs. “I learned from the best.”
The eyebrows rose to their normal position and his lips quirked in that lopsided smile that showed a snaggletooth and made her knees weak.
She’d get over it. She had to.

Bio. Sandra is a vegetarian, animal lover and avid gardener. She lives with her husband, their dog and several cats in sunny North Carolina.
Besides all things western, she also writes in several other genres. She is a category bestselling Amazon author, Eppie finalist and Golden Ankh Award winner.



Order here.   Available in E or Paper.


Thursday, October 10, 2019

Stone Man and Johnnycakes


Welcome, Charles Suddeth.

Charles is going to tell us not only about his new release but also share with us some genuine Cherokee recipes.

Cherokee johnny cakes and all

While I am not a cook, I have learned to make cornbread that is not available commercially, like I grew up on. White cornmeal is typical, but the results with yellow cornmeal should not differ. Many Cherokees omit salt, because it makes the cornbread crumbly, but feel free to add a pinch of salt to these recipes.

Ashcakes

These were for emergencies, when you had to eat quickly without dishes.
Ingredients:
Water
Cornmeal
Add enough water to the cornmeal so that it does not stick to your hands. Form into patties that can fit into the palm of your hand. Do NOT put on live coals. Put the patties on top of white ashes (gray ashes are too cool) and turn over after 3 or 4 minutes-cook 3 or 4 minutes on the other side. Pull out of the ashes and enjoy.

Hoecakes

Lace Hoecake Cornbread

These were ideal for a campfire. They were cooked on either a flat rock or flat metal like a griddle (hoe in England can mean griddle)
Ingredients:
Boiling water 
Cornmeal
Add water to make a thick batter. Let sit for 10 minutes. Coat griddle or rock with lard or bacon grease. Cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until light golden-brown.

Johnnycakes

Nowadays, most call Johnnycakes Fried Cornbread. Add a pinch of sugar, and some call them cornmeal pancakes. Johnnycakes were something for the cabin, when you had time to enjoy them.
Ingredients:
Boiling water 
Cornmeal
Baking powder
Add water to cornmeal and pinch of baking powder to make a batter. Let sit for 10 minutes. Fry in a cast-iron skillet with bacon grease/drippings. Fry until golden-brown.

Bean Bread Tuya gadu  ᏚᏯ ᎦᏚ

This recipe originally calls for corn cooked in wood ashes (lime water) to remove the hulls—then ground into flour. Nowadays you can buy masa harina—the same thing. Results are more like a dumpling than bread.
Ingredients:
3 cups masa harina
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup bacon grease
1 cup cooked beans (pinto beans are traditional—others will work)
2 cups water the beans cooked in (bean pot liquor)
Dried cornhusks (or hickory leaves)
Mix masa harina and bacon grease together first. Then add other ingredients. Form into patties and wrap in cornhusks. Steam covered for 45 minutes/when cornhusk pulls away cleanly.
Can also be boiled. Minus the cornhusks, it can be baked or fried.
Bio and Links:
Charles Suddeth has published poetry, picture books, middle reader’s books, young adult thrillers, and adult mysteries in English, Cherokee, and Turkish. He is active with Green River Writers and leads a monthly SCBWI Social. He lives in Louisville and teaches for the Jefferson County Schools.
Driven to Stone Man’s trail...
After U.S. soldiers attack twelve-year-old Tsatsi’s Cherokee village, his family flees to the Smokey Mountains. Facing storms, flood, and hunger, they’re forced to go where Stone Man, a monstrous giant, is rumored to live. 
His family seeks shelter in an abandoned village, but soldiers hunt them down. Tsatsi and his sister Sali escape, but Sali falls ill and is kidnapped by Stone Man. Tsatsi gives chase and confronts the giant, only to learn this monster isn’t what he seems.
Their journey is a dangerous one. Will Tsatsi find the strength to become a Cherokee warrior? And will they ever find their family?
Print ISBN 9781939844620
EBook ISBN 9781939844651
Release date – October 8, 2019
Find Stone Man: And the Trail of Tears at:

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Did You Know


Did you know in Victorian times, flowers were considered the language of love and used to send secret messages. For instance:
Acacia stands for secret love.
Begonia - Beware
Calla Lily - Beauty
Clover, White - Think of me
Dwarf Sunflower - I adore you
Lily, orange - Hatred
Lotus -  I love you still
Primrose - I can't live without you
And so on.


Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Monday-Tuesday

We went to a Lee Rocker concert. OMG. He's awesome. He plays a double bass like most play a guitar. A little bit of trivia: his parents are classical clarinetists and his sister is a country music singer/songwriter. He wrote a song called 'If Things Aren't Going Right Turn Left' Heh. I LOVE rockabilly.



AND...
The Impossible Whopper (a plant burger).
Anyone tried it yet?  I liked it. It was a little dry, but not enough to be a problem. I thought the flavor was  good.
AND...
Hobos. Ever fixed hobos(veggies and  potatoes with butter and seasoning  wrapped in aluminum) on the grill? I've started fixing mine in the oven and adding a little olive oil.
AND...
The HH picked this up for me.
AND...
Got a surprise in the mail from Ro. Thanks, Rockin Ro. Love it.
AND...
Looks like the mum I had no idea the color of is the same as Di's, red:)
AND...
Saw Ad Astra. Enjoyed it. The special effects were amazing.



Oh my cod. It's carpet shampooing week. For those of you who have wood floors...Don't want to hear it:)

So what about you. Tried the Impossible Whopper? Seen Ad Astra? Like Lee Rocker? Got your Halloween on? Got mums? Shampooed carpets lately? (If so, you have my complete sympathy:)

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Did You Know

Did you know the world's oldest living rose bush is over a thousand years old.


Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Monday-Tuesday

Cover Reveal  
Warning. Besides hand-tooled boots, content contains: a big-hearted, hasty-tempered cowboy, a homeless young woman, an orphaned little girl and a wild white stallion.


 Blurb. Coop Malloy receives a telegram that his sister and brother-in-law have died and Kallie, his ten-year-old niece, is on her way to Texas to live with him.
Still reeling from the loss of his sister, he receives another shock when his childhood friend Randa Lockhart steps off the stage with Kallie. He’s stunned to see that the little pigtailed nuisance that tagged after him and his best friend years ago has turned into a beautiful young woman.
Randa and Kallie have barely settled in when Coop finds buffalo hunter Marvin Doolin beating the local blacksmith within an inch of his life for laming his horse. Coop steps in and when the buffalo hunter tries to kill him, shoots him. Now Doolin’s four brothers are out to even the score.
When they go after Randa, they cross the line. They’re about to find out that’s there’s nothing Coop won’t do, and no one he won’t track down to protect the two females that have burrowed hard and fast into his heart.

Short Excerpt.
A May sun beat hot on Cooper Malloy’s shoulders. He hooked a dusty boot heel on the wooden sidewalk and pulled a creased telegram out of his pocket. The paper, torn in spots from handling, crackled as he unfolded it and read it again. Your sister, Patsy Mae, and her husband have passed. Stop. Your niece, Kalinda Raine, arriving on stage, May 16, 1880. Stop. Sincerely, Montgomery Smith, Attorney-at-Law.
His breath whistled past the lump in his throat. A hot kernel of grief had lodged in his heart when he’d received the telegram a week ago and showed no signs of leaving. What the hell had happened? Even though they’d been married eleven years both Patsy and George were young, Patsy twenty-eight, George—his childhood best friend—thirty. They’d grown up together in St. Louie. He and George had raised all kinds of hell till he’d got an itch to go west and George fell in love with Patsy.
Thundering hooves and a cloud of dust tore him from his painful reverie. He straightened as the stage pulled into the small town of Mobeetie, Texas.
“Whoa, there,” the black-bearded, wiry driver called out, bringing his team to a stomping, snorting halt. The door swung back against the side of the coach with a thump. A thin, little man hopped out and offered his hand to a lovely young woman with honey-colored hair and doe-brown eyes, her skirt rustling as she descended.  Cooper’s gaze coasted past her looking eagerly for his ten-year-old niece.

Pre-order available here.